The murder of a young garda in Omeath last night is a tragedy for his family, An Garda Siochana and the country.

Garda Tony Golden, a married father of three children - all under the age of eight - made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his community on a quiet Sunday night when he and colleagues responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the sleepy north Louth village.

Accompanying a distressed young woman to her home, Garda Golden was shot dead by a suspected dissident, Adrian Crevan Mackin, who also shot his partner before killing himself.

Please sign in or register with Independent.ie for free access to Opinions.